Sell Off State Liquor Stores For Cash, Say Pennsylvanians

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- A new Quinnipiac University Poll finds broad support among Pennsylvanians for selling  the state liquor store system.

In the survey, says Peter Brown, the assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, Pennsylvania voters were asked about different options to help close a multibillion-dollar state budget gap.

"Among the ideas being talked about to help balance Pennsylvania budgets," Brown said, "the idea of selling state liquor stores is the most popular.  Sixty-six percent of Pennsylvania voters think that that's not a bad idea."

On the other hand, he says, by a 52 to 38 percent margin voters do not approve of leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike to a private company.

By an even greater margin, voters say they do not want tax increases. Fifty-one percent say they would support layoffs of state workers. Asked to choose between those four options to help balance the budget, 54 percent say they favor selling liquor stores; leasing the turnpike came in second with 17 percent.

Reported by KYW Newsradio Harrisburg Bureau Chief Tony Romeo.